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C4-206

CIGRE 2012

Power Monitoring Applications for Smart Network Operations

B.A .ALLAF *
M.R.ALWAFI
ACWA Power International Saudi Electricity Company
Saudi Arabia

SUMMARY
There has been noticeable increase in the amount of power monitoring taking place in electric power
systems in recent years. Monitoring of voltages and currents gives the network operator information
about the performance of their network both for the system as a whole and for individual locations
and customers.
Developments in enabling technology (monitoring equipment, communication technology, data
storage and processing) have made it possible to monitor at a large scale and to record virtually any
parameter of interest.
While many network operators are installing monitoring equipment and while more and more
manufacturers have monitors available, there is a lack of knowledge and agreement on a number of
aspects of the monitoring process and in particular on processing the recorded data.
The network operators are increasingly asking for useful information rather than just large amounts of
data to be provided by installed monitors and supporting software.
This paper addresses in particular the concepts and application aspects of effective power monitoring
tools that are being used to visualize and analyse the power network of Saudi Electricity Company
including the Guidelines for choosing locations to install monitoring equipment and the number of
monitors needed to get a sufficiently accurate picture of the power system. The paper also describes
the parameters to be recorded, sampling rate/resolution and the different ways of presenting the
results of monitoring supported by actual examples for selected incidents in addition to detailed
investigations, benchmarking & best practice of monitoring applications.
The paper provides examples of how these values are collected, correlated, calculated and it includes
the need for future development in data capture with higher scan rates and processing for more
accurate measurements.
Finally, conclusions and recommendations are listed.

KEYWORDS
Collapse Dynamic Monitoring Sampling Storage.

* bander@ieee.org

1. INTRODUCTION
Maintaining adequate power security level is increasingly important and it is estimated that power
disturbances cost the utilities billions per year [1]. To insure that adequate power supply is being
maintained or to diagnose and/or benchmark specific problems resulting from the unavailability of
power monitoring tools, often electric power conditions must be monitored.
Power Monitoring Applications continuously monitor numerous transmission and distribution sites at
most large utilities world-wide. These monitoring systems represent a significant and costly
investment by utilities. The monitoring of power parameters in the network on transmission systems is
increasingly seen as being critical as evidenced by the increase in number of directly connected bulk
customers to the transmission system. This pattern of growth is set to continue in the foreseeable
future. The importance of monitoring the power parameters in the network is important not only from
a compliance perspective, but also to identify the performance and health of the network. The
monitoring system is capable of storing a huge amount of data and the management of this data for
efficient presentation to control room engineer helps in making informed decisions.

2. ASSESSMENT OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Power Parameters are often monitored when studies are done to assess system performance. From the
perspective of data utilization, most studies fall into one of three categories:

Benchmarking studies
Specific problem-solving studies
Proactive just-in-case monitoring

Knowing which of the study types the investigative team will be performing is a critical part of
defining the types of measurements needed, instrument needs, locations, settings, and data gathering
and analysis processes.

2.1 BENCHMARKING STUDIES

The usual objective of a benchmarking study is to compare the performance of power system
conditions at a particular site to industry standards or to national averages or some comparative index
to determine if it is up to par with expectations and needs. This type of study often requires equipment
capable of analyzing both steady-state and transient events and usually involves measurements at
several locations over a sufficient period of time to obtain meaningful statistics. The results may be
used for design upgrades at an existing facility or the planning of new equipment.
Benchmarking studies may be of a generic nature or may be focused on a particular type of condition,
such as voltage sags or interruptions. The period of time involved for a typical benchmarking study
could be anywhere from several months to up to a year or so depending on needs. For many studies,
the data collection interval must be sufficient to observe conditions that are representative of the
environment throughout all seasons of the year.
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) joined international group of power utilities in International
Transmission Operation and Maintenance Study (ITOMS) which aims to provide benchmarking of
the performance of each utility based on specific criteria and data that includes key performance
indices (KPI's) which require detailed data about power disturbances throughout the year of the study
and this requires continuous monitoring of operation performance.
Generic benchmarking studies, because they involve measuring all types of conditions, are the most
comprehensive and expensive. They produce valuable information, but they also produce huge
quantities of data that may require a large effort to manage and analyze.

A way to reduce the cost of benchmarking is to focus just on the disturbance types and seasons that
are likely to be important for the type of loads or processes involved. Therefore, a focused
benchmarking study targets specific power conditions and locations that are considered to be the most
vulnerable areas.

2.2 SPECIFIC PROBLEM-SOLVING STUDIES

A specific problem-solving study is conducted in response to an identified problem. The goal of this
type of study is to identify as quickly as possible the offending power condition so that corrective
action can be taken. This is a cause-and-effect type troubleshooting analysis that involves correlating
observed facility problems with measurements of power conditions that occur at the times those
problems arise. These studies can lead to a solution with just a few hours of measurements, but they
may require much longer monitoring depending on the specific case.
Problem-solving studies involve two approaches: either wait for the problem to occur naturally so that
it can be measured, or trigger it so the effect can be measured at the discretion of the analyst. For fault
conditions, deep voltage sags, lightning, and so on, usually we must wait for these events to occur to
study the system impact. But other types of events can be triggered. For example, at SEC if a motorstalling event is causing due to slow voltage recovery after faults, the voltage conditions need to be
measured at local control area affected by this phenomena.

2.3 PROACTIVE JUST-IN-CASE MONITORING

Power monitoring is sometimes done as a just-in-case insurance policy to have a record of
conditions available if a problem occurs. In this way, data will be readily accessible to more quickly
identify anomalous conditions and resolve problems when they arise. For this type of monitoring, the
power monitoring instrumentation must always be running in the background and ready to record
disturbances at a moments notice. Data from the recording equipment will rarely be needed during
normal system operation, but at the time it is needed, its availability will be critical. This type of
monitoring requires instruments to operate unattended and reliably for long periods of time

3. MONITORING AT SEC CONTROL CENTER LEVEL

The major task of the control center is to provide information to control room operator based on
which he makes a decision whether he should interfere and introduce some control actions or not.
Control center receives data from substations and depending on system architecture, also from other
control centers (from regional control centers and/or national control centers of surrounding
countries).

Figure (1) Data Transfer from Station to Control Center

Data are then either directly displayed, or further processed by Energy Management System (EMS)
applications together with signal acquisition data chain and components in a control center.

3.1 SCADA/EMS
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. SCADA is a technology allowing
collection of data (typically to a central location) from remote (often distributed over large
geographical area) facilities and sending control commands to those facilities. In other words, SCADA
represents a tool, which an operator uses for a supervision of a large process/system.
Present SCADA installations range from small, municipality level installations, to large systems
covering several thousands kilometers [2].
A basic structure of a modern SCADA system consists of three groups of components:
Distributed Data Acquisition and Control Execution - RTUs and Actuators and Sensors
Communication
Central Processing
Central Processing usually takes place in a so called Master Station (sometimes referred to as Master
Terminal Unit) and provides a direct access point for an operator - HMI. Master Station may consist of
various hardware platforms and software modules. In small SCADA installations, hardware may be a
single PC. In larger SCADA installations, hardware may include several servers, operators and
maintenance working places.
A major component in data acquisition and control execution is RTU (Remote Telemetry Unit,
sometimes also interpreted as Remote Terminal Unit).
SCADA usually delivers only raw data, which are further processed by Energy Management System
(EMS). EMS is a set of programs/tools which adds an interpretation to measurements, allowing an
operator to assess the system security better and even to compute suitable control actions.

3.2 DYNAMIC SYSTEM MONITORING (DSM)

DSM units located in the power system of the Western Region in K.S.A. are used as a main tool all the
time in disturbance analysis since1992. Each DSM performance depends on its configuration file
(Setup File) which specifies how it works while recording each disturbance [3].
This file includes but not limited to the following as an example:

Pre Trigger Size : 300 cycles

Post Trigger Size : 1000 cycles
Frequency
: 60.00 Hz
Baud Rate
: 2400 bits/seconds
Sample Save Rate : 4 samples per cycle
Channel Declarations: This part of the file assigns channel for each phase measurement (real
and imaginary part) along with the conversion factors.

3.2.1 DSM MASTER STATION HARDWARE

It is a normal personal computer with modem and telephone line in the Head Office and / or Control
Center connected to each DSM unit at substation through its modem to enable file transfer from DSM
units to the Master Station PC.

3.2.2 DSM MASTER STATION SOFTWARE

The Master Station PC runs under Windows XP. The Hyper Terminal software is used for
communication with the DSM units for file transfer to the Master Station PC.
Special Software Package called Data Analysis and Display Software (DADiSP) in the Master Station
PC is used for the graphical analysis of DSM recorded files in a work sheet formats and lab books
with many functions available for signal manipulations.

Figure (2) Presentation of DSM Output

Figure (3) Actual DSM Record

3.3 DATA ACQUISITION UNIT (IDM)

The IDM is an advanced multifunction distributed data acquisition system designed to address the data
recording requirements of a modern transmission or distribution power substation.

Figure (4) Networked IDM installations

DAUs LSUs installed in some of the new substations [9]. It is basically a Digital Fault Recorder
where the sampling rate can be selected for slow to fast scan of 7.68 kHz (128 samples per cycle) in
the Local Storage Unit (LSU) depending on the application required. Then this data can be analyzed
by software package called Replay Plus at the Master Station PC.
The recorded data can be used for:
-

Fault location and fault recording.

Disturbance recording.
Transient and continuous slow scan.
Power Quality Recording.
Power system stability monitoring.
Sequence of events recording.

3.3.1 FAULT RECORDING FUNCTION

High speed recording, monitoring the transient response of the power system during and just after a
system fault or transient disturbance.

Figure (5) Fault Recording

Figure (6) Tracing of voltage profile

3.3.2 TRIGGERED SLOW SCAN FUNCTION

Slow speed recording monitoring specified calculated power quantities for up to 30 minutes before,
during and after a transient fault or disturbance at scan rates up to once per cycle.
Calculated quantities available include rms voltage and current, real and reactive power, sequence
components and frequency.

3.3.3 CONTINUOUS SLOW SCAN FUNCTION

A slow scan function providing recorded calculated quantities for up to 15 days for long term power
stability monitoring. This function requires a Local Storage Unit (LSU) an industrial PC based storage
device with a hard disk drive providing the long term data storage facility.

3.3.4 IDM MASTER STATION SOFTWARE

A user interface is used to display lists of records and installed devices and a drag and drop interface
is used for IDM configuration. All device configuration information, lists of records and record
summary results are stored in a Microsoft Access database to provide open access to the data.

4. TYPES OF DATA COLLECTD

For many types of studies, only voltage measurements are necessary for adequate results. For
example, quantifying incoming power interruptions at transmission network, or quantifying depth,
duration, and rates of incoming voltage sags of utility power system. But there can also be good
reasons to measure current in addition to voltage. Situations in which current monitoring is critical are
those where the load current impacts and dynamically interacts with the system voltage conditions so
that it is not possible to fully understand one parameter without knowing the other.
For example, by measuring motor starting and transformer energization inrush current along with the
simultaneous voltage conditions. Another example where current measurements are valuable is the
case of harmonic distortion assessments. Knowing the harmonic current associated with the loads as
well as the voltage distortion levels can allow to better determine relative contributions of the facility
loads and the power system source to the harmonic distortion conditions.

In addition, IEEE 519 guidelines specify maximum levels of allowed current distortion, which must be
measured to determine if the loads are in compliance with that standard [4].
Therefore, current measurements along with voltage are necessary anytime a power demand and
power factor analysis is performed.
Overall, in some situations voltage measurements alone will suffice and in other situations both
current and voltage are required. Knowing when to apply these measurements is helpful in specifying
the type of equipment that will be needed and setting up an overall plan.
Table (I) - illustrates some situations where measuring both voltage and current is generally
appropriate.
Table (I) Voltage and Current Measurements

Figure (7) Duration of Disturbances

Reliability disturbances such as sustained and momentary interruptions are another area of concern.
They are addressed in IEEE Standard 1366-2000. The industry uses several indices, including CAIDI,
SAIDI, and MAIFI, to track interruptions. Standard 1366-2000 provides guidance on average levels of
reliability per these indices for both sustained interruptions and momentary interruptions.
There is no particular requirement for reliability, but most utilities are under pressure from their
respective public service commission to operate near or above average levels of reliability.
SEC implemented several KPI's in the transmission business line based on international experiences
and best practices considering the applicability to Saudi Power Sector including System Minutes
Interruptions, SAIFI, SAIDI, and Voltage Dips.
Harmonic measurements are another key area of power monitoring. IEEE standard 519-1992 sets
limits for the maximum voltage distortion and current distortion levels. Voltage distortion limits of 5%
total harmonic distortion (THD) apply to the utility-company delivery of power at the point of
common coupling (PCC) at voltage levels of 69 kV or less. The limits imposed become increasingly
strict as the power system to which the loads are connected becomes weaker. For example, if the ratio
of available short-circuit (fault) current to total demand current is less than 20:1 at the PCC, then the
THD of the total demand current is limited to no more than 5%. On the other hand, if the ratio is
1000:1, then up to 20% THD of the total demand current is allowed. Harmonic measurements are
needed to insure compliance with the IEEE standard as well as troubleshoot typical harmonic-related
issues.

5. ANALOG AND DIGITAL WAVEFORM CAPTURE

Waveform sampling and capture techniques of power measurement recorders include two basic types
of instruments: analog and digital. Today, almost all instruments employ digital sampling as a key part
of waveform acquisition and storage. However, even with a digital instrument, analog components and
stages in the measurement process still need to be considered. These include the analog transducers
(such as current and potential transformers) as well as analog input amplifiers or input attenuator
circuits that feed signal to the instruments analog-to digital (A/D) converter units. So any full
accounting of an instruments ability to measure a waveform must include all stages of the process and
not just the final A/D converter sampling rate. Power monitors must have an adequate A/D converter
sampling rate and an adequate bandwidth of its analog input circuitry to study the desired highest
frequency content of the waveform that is of interest.
The majority of big issues related to power monitors are not surge related, and so in many cases we
can ignore the faster transients such as lightning and internal load switching surges that may require up
to several megahertz of bandwidth to resolve.
Occasionally measurement of some of the faster phenomenon like lightning transients is required.
Steady-state 60 Hz conditions can be evaluated by saving the value of the measured parameter (such
as RMS voltage or current) every few minutes, whereas transient conditions such as voltage sags or
swells require saving data at shorter intervals (every cycle to resolve voltage sags or swells). To
represent the voltage as an RMS plot, power monitors evaluates the RMS value of the voltage at
intervals of cycle, saves the value of the voltage at each interval (if a change occurs).

6. DATA COLLECTION AND ARCHIVING

The plan for data collection and archiving must be well organized and properly documented. Proper
archiving of data is not just about storing the measurement files.
Its also about documenting the installation setup, the trigger settings, scaling factors, and other
elements that impact the monitoring process.

7. MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

Power monitoring studies involve collating a variety of data such as electrical measurements, load
disturbance records, and utility outage/switching reports.
The study consists of both measured/collected data as well as contextual data. The contextual data of
the study is as important as the actual measurement data. For example, if a site located on a rural radial
distribution circuit is experiencing one sustained interruption each year, this can be considered good as
per national reliability statistics it is better than average for most rural radial distribution circuits. On
the other hand, if a site is located on an urban low voltage network circuit, then one interruption per
year is much worse than average for that type of system. The type of power system feeding a site
affects how we interpret the measured data. In the first case, performance was better than average for
that type of design, so it would not necessarily warrant the utility company improving that side of the
system, a customer-side solution would probably be the best approach. However, the urban network
system is performing much worse than average, and a strong case could be made to the utility
company to make the needed upgrades.

8. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCED MONITORING

Most power systems today are operated close to their steady-state stability limits as demonstrated by
several voltage collapse incidents. There is significant impact resulting from transferring electrical
power from the generating plant to the load centers without considering the safe limits of power
transfer under different load conditions [5].
With the help of advanced monitoring applications to determine the voltage stability position in real
time such voltage collapse incidents might be avoided.

8.1 PARTIAL VOLTAGE COLLAPSE INCIDENTS AT SEC

This part explained actual incidents in SEC transmission network which support the real need to
implement advanced monitoring application that provides fast
on-line status of power system
stability measures.

Control Center Jeddah (JCC) received a report of a fire in two of the sheath grounding link boxes
on the cable part of the 380 KV circuit KMT-JAM. Accordingly line maintenance engineers
requested JCC to open this circuit to avoid cable damage.
JCC started immediate load shifting from JAM Island to other islands as a preparation for KMTJAM circuit opening. Due to this forced outage, local voltage collapse in 5 islands in Jeddah
(JAM- HVE-FSL-DSP & JNS) was encountered few minutes after opening the above circuit due
to the system evening peak load. Then manual load shedding in Jeddah was activated immediately
on rotation bases in seven stages to arrest the voltage decline.

Figure (8) Voltage at Neighboring Stations

Next Day, due to the outage of KMT-JAM circuit voltage was low in the above 5 islands then the
380/110 KV transformer (TR8) at DSP tripped by distance protection Zone 4, then local voltage
collapse in the same 5 islands in Jeddah area (JAM-HVE-FSL-DSP&JNS) was encountered and
the automatic under voltage load shedding was activated in 14 substations.

Two days later, while KMT-JAM circuit was still out and the voltage was low in the above 5
islands local voltage collapse was repeated and under voltage load shedding was activated in 13
substations without any fault but with the normal rise of load.

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Figure (9) Three Phase Voltages without any Fault

9. PROPOSED ADVANCED MONITORING APPLICATIONS

Within SEC Control Room at control centers, the knowledge of events occurring in the system helps
to understand the causes of system disturbances.
Such information provides a clear picture of the overall situation. Currently, the available information
regarding events is limited and transmitted with the usual SCADA delays.
On the other hand, complete system observability provides accurate event detection using system
synchronized measures sampled at high sampling rate both the nature and location of the events can be
determined by compared analysis of bus voltage magnitude and phase variations between sampling
steps.
When all bus voltages magnitudes and phases are monitored, results will be very accurate while
performance will be less accurate under partial observability conditions but it will be of great help for
operators to better realize the occurrence of high impact events close to the monitored nodes.
Phase voltages, currents and phase angle are continuously measured at specific locations in the power
system with high sampling rate to be used as an input to the voltage stability software to evaluate the
stability conditions of the power system in real-time and take the proper action to avoid system
instability or voltage collapse in the steady state as well as in case of system disturbance [6].
The voltage stability software monitor the flow in MW through the main interconnecting lines and
cables and evaluate the maximum possible power transfer on each of them and give warning to
dispatchers and actions to overcome such problems can be done either manually by the dispatchers or
automatically through SCADA and EMS using protection devices.
The voltage stability calculations give the chance to system operator to utilize the transmission lines
up to the stability limits, which can save the need for implementing some new lines unless it is
necessary.
Figure (10) is the (P-V) curve for an example line in the main network, where it indicates the allowed
rang for loading this line as well as the actual line loading in a real time form [7].

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Figure (10) Line Loading on P-V Curve

10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The selection of proper scan rate of power monitoring systems depends on the required observed
application and phenomena.
2. RMS values for phasor voltage and current with adequate sampling rate can be used to calculate the
values of active and reactive power at any point in the network where power monitors are located.
3. Power monitoring applications are necessary to evaluate system dynamics before, during and after
faults.
4. Advanced monitoring system using Wide Area Monitoring WAM using higher sampling rates
are highly recommended to provide real time system stability monitoring especially in the
critical interconnections.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1]
[2]

Phil Barker and Bill Howe. Power Quality Monitoring (EPRI).

CIGRE WG601-SC C4. Wide Area Monitoring and Control For Transmission Capability
Enhancements (December 2006).
[3] A. El-Khatib and B. Allaf. Concepts of Dynamic System Monitoring (DSM) used in the
Analysis of Actual Disturbances in SE-WRB K.S.A (Doha. Qatar, 2005).
[4] Stephen P. Hoffman. Proposed Standards and Measurements for Building Blocks of
Interconnection Reliability.
[5]
G.Li, S.R. Wang, S.J. Cheng. Real-Time Communication in Synchronous State Monitoring
System for Wide Area Power System Power System Technology, vol.28, no.18, pp 39-43,
EPRI, Sep. 2004, November, 2005.
[6] Charles Concordia and S.Ihara. Load Representation in Power System Stability Studies.
[7] Prapha Kundur . Power System Stability and Control.

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